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Sports

Harrison Goalie Looking For A Big Season

This week's athlete of the week is Harrison's experienced goaltender Jackie Fonseca.

Goaltending is often considered to be the great equalizer in sports. If a team has a good one that player can carry the team to the championship game, a bad one could make for a very long season.

Luckily for the Harrison girl's soccer team they have a great one in Jackie Fonseca.

Fonseca is entering her junior year and she has been a dominating defensive force since her first days on the Harrison varsity team. As a freshman Fonseca was named the team's starting goalie and, although the team went through some bumps and bruises in that first year, the squad is now better for the experience they gained.

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"I had a great experience freshmen year," said Fonseca. "Even though our team didn't go far that year, we were determined to improve the following season."

Fonseca and several other players came back to the team hungry for competition the following year, they also had a new coach in Jon-Erik Zappala.

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"Coach Zappala was a huge contribution to our team, we had some veterans and some young players that year," Fonseca said. "Thankfully we did go pretty far last season, and I hope to go even further this year."

Fonseca started 18 games last year as a sophomore and saved 163 shots, she also played in one history making game for the Huskies.

"I certainly have many memories from last season, but one that I will truly remember forever is the game against Hen Hud," Fonseca said. "We worked non-stop the whole game and even went to double overtime, but it was still a tie. And we kept our heads cool and went into penalty kicks with confidence."

Harrison made a bit of school history by winning the game and making it past the first round of sectionals for the first time.

"That was the best feeling I have ever had," said Fonseca.

The Huskies finished the season 9 - 9, and are now looking toward the 2010 campaign with high hopes.

"I am looking forward to a great season packed with big games and going into this season with high hopes. Harrison girls soccer is only improving and I think teamwork is everything," Fonseca said. "Together as a team with our great coach we will go far into this season and future seasons to come."

Best of luck and continued success Jackie Fonseca, Harrison Patch's athlete of the week for Aug. 22 - 28.

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